Cam actuated bag closure mechanism



June 10, 1952 F AM CAM ACTUATED BAG CLOSURE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 25,1950 P n lilIIlIli 11.1. AMA

INVENTOR. FLETCHER AMES Md 7 ATTORNEYS Patentecl June 10, 1952 CAMACTUATED BAG CLOSURE IWECHANISM Fletcher Ames, Palo Alto, Calif.,assignor to Ames Harris Neville 00., San Francisco, Calif., acorporation of California Application January 23, 1950, Serial No.140,034

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improved bag closure mechanism.

The particular embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in thedrawings and which will be described hereinafter in greater detailcomprises, generally, a bifurcated or U- shaped clamping bar formed withopposed cam surfaces and provided with opposed clamping edges normallyspring tensioned apart to receive between them the mouth of a cloth orcanvas bag or the like. Incorporated within the mechanism i a camcomprising a U-shaped member mounted pivotally to the clamping bar andmovable against the cam faces to cam the gripping edges of the clampingbar toward one another and tightly against the mouth of a bag disposedtherebetween.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a camactuated bag closure mechanism capable of providing an extremely tightclosure for the mouth of a bag and which is constructed so as to bereadily removable from and replaceable on the mouth of a said bag.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a bag closuremechanism which is exceedingly easy and simple to operate, which is ofsturdy construction, and which may be manuf actured relativelyinexpensively.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the closure mechanism operably attachedto the mouth of a water bag.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the bag closure mechanism adjacentto but removed from the open mouth of a water bag.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is indicatedgenerally at A one conventional type of water has shown in associationwith a bag closure mechanism embodying the present invention andindicated generally at B.

The water bag construction which is illustrated in the drawings andwhich has heretofore been designated generally at A, comprisesessentially a rectangular flat collapsible bag made of closely wovencanvas or other suitable material and which has been stitched around itsside and bottom edges. A pouring spout, such as indicated at 2 4, havinga removable cap 9 is conventionally provided to facilitate pouring ofliquid contents from the bag. The top edges 5 and 6 of the bag are shownas being stitched as at I together inwardly for short distances from theside edges of the bag to define a relatively large, elongated,collapsible centrally located mouth or opening 8. Large openings, suchas opening 8, are conventionally provided in water bags of the typeillustrated in the drawings to facilitate filling of the bags with waterand to permit access into the interior of the bag to cleanse and dry itwhen such becomes necessary.

The bag closure mechanism, heretofore indicated generally at B,comprises an elongated bifurcated clamping bar which is preferablyformed from one integral piece of material, such as spring metal or thelike. The clamping bar comprises, more specifically, a bifurcated backportion ll, two opposed outwardly projecting longitudinally extendingrib portions I2, and two opposed longitudinally extending clamping edgesl3. The spring material from which the clamping bar is made is adaptedto normally spring tension the clamping edges I3 apart from one anothera distance suflicient to permit easy insertion therebetween of the topedges 5 and 6 of the bag which define the mouth of the bag.

A pair of identically formed substantially U- shaped cams [4 aresupported pivotally in suitable apertures formed through back portion llof the clamping bar adjacent opposite ends thereof. Each U-shaped cam I4is formed with slightly divergently outwardly projecting legs, and eachcam is adapted for pivotal movement downwardly about its respective axisin a manner whereby the legs of the cam engage opposed surfaces of theprojecting reinforcing ribs l2 to cam the opposed clamping edges of thebar toward'one another and tightly against the mouth swung upwardly outof engagement with ribs l2,

and this action will permit the clamping edges of the bar to spring openand allow the clamping bar to be easily withdrawn from the mouth of thebag.

Suitable apertures I! may be provided in the back portion II of theclamping bar adjacent opposite ends thereof to receive therethroughknotted ends [8 of a suitable carrying rope or handle I9.

Although it has been found that the present has closure mechanism,hereinabove specifically described, is particularly useful as a .closurefor water bags such as has heretofore been indicated at A, it isunderstood that this invention is not confined or restricted exclusivelyto such use, or any several particular uses, but may be employed as aclosure for any type of bag on which the device may be used practically.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example, it is understood that certain changes andmodifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scopeof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A has closure mechanism comprising, an integrally formed spring metalclamping bar comprising a bifurcated back portion defining two opposedlegs and a, pair of outwardly pro.- j ecting opposed stifiening ribsextending longitudinally of said clamping bar and presenting opposed camsurfaces, said clamping bar comprising a pair of opposed clamping edgesdisposed inwardly of said ribs and movable toward and away from oneanother to receive therebetween the mouth of a bag, the springiness ofsaid metal normally tensioning said clamping edges away, from oneanother to an open position, a Cam comprising a. U-shaped metal roddefining a web portion and, two slightly divergently outwardlyprojecting legs, a pair of registering a ertures formed through the legs4 jected through said registering apertures and pivotally supportedtherein, the said divergently projecting legs of said cam beingswingable about its pivotal axis to engage said opposed cam surfacespresented by said stifiening ribs for camming said opposed clampingedges toward one another and against the spring forces of the materialtending to spring tension the clamping edges open and away from oneanother.

2. A bag closure mechanism according to claim 1 and wherein. a pair ofspaced knobs are provided on the outer side of at least one of saidstiffening ribs arranged and located for snaplocking engagement with anassociated leg of saidcam when the latter has been moved into cammingengagement with Said rib.

FLETCHER AMES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 603,773- Mitchell May 10, 189.8,709,066 Waterman Sept. 16-, 1.902 726,012 Andrew Apr. 21, 1903 900,625Wall-is Oct. 6, 1908 966,237 De Ybarrondo Aug. 2, 1910 1,068,362. ORielyJuly 22, 1913 1,083,873 Burch Jan. 6, 1914 1,127,38r1 Adams Feb.v 9, 1915 1,403,707 Quarnstrom Jan. 17, 1922 1,596,355 Hirsch Aug. 17, 19262,008,195 Thompson July 16, 1935 2,500,363 Koeppel Mar. 14, 1950 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 374,312 Great Britain June 9, 1932

